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The differences between junior research scientists and assistant research scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a junior research scientist, becoming an assistant research scientist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a junior research scientist has an average salary of $67,062, which is higher than the $62,780 average annual salary of an assistant research scientist.
The top three skills for a junior research scientist include python, PI and C++. The most important skills for an assistant research scientist are research projects, data collection, and data analysis.
| Junior Research Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $67,062 | $62,780 |
| Hourly rate | $32.24 | $30.18 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 101,873 | 88,786 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A junior research scientist is responsible for evaluating and interpreting scientific results from laboratory investigations and experiments. Junior research scientists assist the senior scientists in gathering information to support research studies and claims. They perform both laboratory and field trials to collect samples for further examinations. A junior research scientist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing comprehensive reports, following accurate scientific methodologies, and submitting the research findings on time to the research supervisor.
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
Junior research scientists and assistant research scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Research Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average salary | $67,062 | $62,780 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $92,000 | Between $43,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Zappos.com | University of California |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a junior research scientist and an assistant research scientist in terms of educational background:
| Junior Research Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between junior research scientists' and assistant research scientists' demographics:
| Junior Research Scientist | Assistant Research Scientist | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7% | Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 16.7% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |